The updated Employment Standards Code comes into effect on January 1, 2018. As these changes are the first overhaul of the Code since 1988, updating organizational policies and practices have become an area of deliberate attention for nonprofit organizations that employ staff.

Both nonprofit employers and employees will be significantly impacted by the changes. As an employer, you need to be aware of changes and update organizational policies and practices in accordance with the Code. The Employment Standards Code currently impacts the nonprofit sector more than the Labour Relations Code does and remains the focus of our work. Here are some of the most significant areas of change in the updated Code:

Absences from Work:

Leave Eligibility

Maternity/parental Leave

Compassionate Care Leave

Bereavement Leave

Reservist Leave

Personal & Family Responsibility Leave

Long-Term Illness & Injury Leave

Domestic Violence Leave

Citizenship Ceremony Leave

Critical Illness of a Child Leave

Death or Disappearance of a Child Leave

Hours of Work and Rest

Averaging Agreements (formerly compressed work weeks)

Deductions

Overtime

General Holiday and General Holiday Pay

Vacation and Vacation Pay

Termination and Termination Pay

Youth Employment

To help your organization make the changes to meet compliance with the updated Employment Standards Code, visit the Alberta Labour website for resources and materials.